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Multiple Antibiotic Resistance In An Acinetobacter Baumannii Global Clone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$606,580.00
Summary
Antibiotic resistant bacteria that cause infections in hospitals can originate anywhere, then spread world wide. They start off resistant to a few antibiotics, then become resistant to new antibiotics that are introduced to treat them. This project will investigate how resistance to antibiotics was acquired by Acinetobacter baumannii which is now resistant to most antibiotics, and why the old resistance genes are not being lost. This will help track these bacteria moving into and around Australi ....Antibiotic resistant bacteria that cause infections in hospitals can originate anywhere, then spread world wide. They start off resistant to a few antibiotics, then become resistant to new antibiotics that are introduced to treat them. This project will investigate how resistance to antibiotics was acquired by Acinetobacter baumannii which is now resistant to most antibiotics, and why the old resistance genes are not being lost. This will help track these bacteria moving into and around Australia.Read moreRead less
Genomic Approaches To Understand And Control The Emergence Of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus Faecium (VREfm) In Australia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$756,163.00
Summary
VRE is a serious hospital superbug that has been increasing in many major hospitals around Australia, while at the same time MRSA (Golden Staph) infections have been decreasing. This project will find out why VRE is increasing by examining what happens to patients at a major Australian hospital from their time of admission to the onset of infection with VRE. At the end of the project we will have the first real understanding of how VRE is transmitted so we can develop effective infection control ....VRE is a serious hospital superbug that has been increasing in many major hospitals around Australia, while at the same time MRSA (Golden Staph) infections have been decreasing. This project will find out why VRE is increasing by examining what happens to patients at a major Australian hospital from their time of admission to the onset of infection with VRE. At the end of the project we will have the first real understanding of how VRE is transmitted so we can develop effective infection control measures.Read moreRead less
Harnessing The Type VI Secretion System ‘combat’ Arsenal Of A. Baumannii As A Source Of New Antimicrobials And Antimicrobial Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$521,557.00
Summary
Infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria represent one of the greatest threats to human health. There is an urgent need to develop novel drugs and treatment strategies to combat infections by these drug-resistant organisms. We have shown that the bacteria A. baumannii uses a needle-like system to deliver lethal toxins into competitors. We will characterize these toxins so that we can manipulate them as weapons for controlling infections with multi-drug resistant bacteria.
Pathways To Extensive And Pan Antibiotic Resistance In The Globally Disseminated Acinetobacter Baumannii GC2 Clone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$865,004.00
Summary
The project will study the evolution of a Acinetobacter baumannii clone that is found all around the world, and has become resistant to most or all of the currently available antibiotics. Resistance has been acquired in a series of steps, and the resistance genes present and the events involved will be used to understand the globalization process. The increased understanding of resistance development should assist in controlling untreatable infections and in preserving antibiotics.
The True Burden Of Nosocomial Staphylococcal Disease: Genomic Markers Of Transmission Of Methicillin-sensitive And –resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$830,092.00
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of hospital infection, but previous studies have only focused on the 30% caused by resistant strains (MRSA). We will trace the spread of all Staphylococcus strains in hospitals using DNA fingerprinting. This will enable us to determine why patients catch this infection, permitting interventions to reduce hospital infection. We will also examine the genomes of these bacteria to look for markers of transmission and adaptation to the hospital environment.
A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial Of Selective Decontamination Of The Digestive Tract In Critically Ill Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,113,393.00
Summary
Sepsis is the most common cause of death in intensive care patients. Selective Decontamination of the Digestive Tract (SDD) is a treatment to reduce the risk of infection and improve survival for these patients. Many trials suggest SDD works but there has not been widespread uptake due to concerns that SDD will increase antibiotic resistance.rates. This trial will provide a definitive answer. If SDD reduces mortality without increasing antibiotic resistance, the study will have a global impact.
Mechanisms Of Interaction And Therapeutic Strategies For Polymicrobial Biofilms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$607,231.00
Summary
A public health crisis is brewing with regard to hospital-acquired infections. The ability of bacterial and fungal organisms to attach and bind tightly to the surface of invasive medical devices is the root-cause of the majority of hospital-acquired infections. This research will study how bacteria and fungi interact in communities attached to medical devices, and devise strategies for their combined treatment.
Clostridium Difficile: Assessing The Risks To Australia Of An Emerging Healthcare-related Pathogen
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,180,256.00
Summary
Clostridium difficile is a bacterium that causes inflammation of the large bowel that can lead to surgical removal of the bowel or death. In North America and Europe, an international epidemic strain has caused large outbreaks of severe, fatal disease. In 2009, this strain was identified for the first time in Perth, Australia. We will investigate strains currently present in Brisbane and Perth and risk of outbreaks occurring from imported and local strains.
Multidrug Recognition And Resistance In Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$598,978.00
Summary
Strains of Staphylococcus aureus (Golden Staph), resistant to almost all available anti-staphylococcal agents, are responsible for serious infections among patients; in some hospitals such outbreaks reach epidemic proportions. Resistance has emerged to all classes of antimicrobial agents. We will increase our understanding of proteins that confer resistance by pumping multiple antimicrobials out of the cell to ultimately design more effective antibacterials able to bypass such drug pumps.
The Role Of Clostridium Difficile Spore Surface Structures In Initiating Gastrointestinal Infection And Disease.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,556.00
Summary
Hospital-acquired infections with the bacterium Clostridium difficile are a major global public health concern with more virulent isolates emerging overseas since 2000. These strains were detected in Australia in 2010 and are now spreading throughout our hospitals. This project will increase our understanding of how these strains are transmitted to susceptible hosts and why they are so harmful, which is critical for the development of better strategies for preventing and treating these infection ....Hospital-acquired infections with the bacterium Clostridium difficile are a major global public health concern with more virulent isolates emerging overseas since 2000. These strains were detected in Australia in 2010 and are now spreading throughout our hospitals. This project will increase our understanding of how these strains are transmitted to susceptible hosts and why they are so harmful, which is critical for the development of better strategies for preventing and treating these infections.Read moreRead less